Lanthanide-Loaded Polymer Nanoparticles for Autofluorescence-Free In Vitro and In Vivo Biosensing and Imaging – LaPin

Sensitivity and selectivity of luminescence techniques for sensing and imaging depend on signal-to-background ratios and thus on the applied probes. In this project, we will design lanthanide (Ln) based nanoprobes that combine high brightness (high signal) with autofluorescence-free (low background) detection. Three types of Ln complexes, for time-gating, upconversion, and short-wavelength infrared (SWIR) detection, will be encapsulated in novel polymer nanoparticles. Optimizing their loading and luminescence properties require a precise control over the encapsulation of the complexes inside the NPs and thus matching complex, polymer, and assembly conditions. The resulting nanoprobes will be biofunctionalized to (i) enable luminescence imaging at the single-particle level in complex biological systems, (ii) implement strongly reduced detection limits and high selectivity for biomarkers without sample-purification, and (iii) provide exceptional resolution for in vivo imaging.